Necklaces can range from trendy to timeless, and they come in a huge variety of different materials, styles, and price points. Picking the right necklace can seem like an overwhelming task, but the key is to keep your personal style in mind.
Choose a Necklace That Matches Your Response to Change
Do you love to follow trends, or are you pretty consistent in your tastes? Think about how you handle new fashion trends, but also give some thought to your handing of other types of change like new technology, changes at work, or alterations in your daily routine. How you respond to changing fads can be a big clue about the best necklace options for you.
- Change-lover - If you love change and new fads, pick popular necklaces that follow the latest jewelry fashion fads. Think hammered metal, long statement necklaces, and lots of color.
- Routine-lover - If you prefer a consistent routine and classic style, pick pieces that will never go out of style. Timeless necklaces styles include gold chains, pearls, lockets, and simple pendants.
- In between - If you're in between, try embracing trends in a moderate way. Instead of a bold statement necklace, consider something that incorporated some of the fashion fads. You could try a large pearl pendant on a simple gold chain.
Look to Your Closet for Necklace Inspiration
Your clothing and personal fashion style can also help you decide what type of necklace will work best for you. Do you like to turn heads with your clothing choices? If you have a distinctive fashion style, you may want a necklace that matches that. On the other hand, if you like to keep it traditional and versatile, simpler designs may be more your style.
- Attention-grabbing style - If you love to grab attention with your wardrobe, look for necklaces in bold colors. Also consider statement designs with major visual impact.
- Classic style - If you prefer the classics when it comes to clothing, keep your jewelry simple too. A gold necklace with a small pendant or a strand of semi-precious beads will never go out of style.
- In between - If you like a little of both, choose a necklace that fills a missing gap in your wardrobe. If you need more statement pieces, look for a bold design made of hammered metal. If you need some more traditional necklaces to tone down your look, try sterling silver chains, pearls, and other simple styles.
Consider Your Lifestyle and Hobbies
Your necklace personality is also related to your lifestyle and hobbies. Certain materials are not well suited to an active lifestyle, and others can hold up to abuse. Do you do a lot of running or hiking? Or do you prefer to read or paint? What you do for work and in your free time can affect the best necklace choice for you.
- Very active lifestyle - If you have hobbies that make heavy or long necklaces cumbersome or dangerous, try a very simple and short gold chain or a small pendant. Durable gems like diamonds or sapphires can work well.
- Somewhat active lifestyle - If your lifestyle is active but not extremely so, you may be able to remove a necklace or tuck it inside your shirt when it would interfere with your activities. You'll still want to stay away from really long or heavy necklaces, but most styles will be open to you.
- Quiet lifestyle - If you don't do a lot of activities that could damage a necklace or make wearing one dangerous, you can choose any necklace style you want. Even very long strands of beads or large statement necklaces can work for you.
Think About Your Gender Identity
Some necklace styles are clearly very feminine or masculine, and others are gender-neutral. If you identify as one gender, you may prefer a necklace that matches that identity. Or if you're not into advertising your gender in your jewelry, you may prefer a more neutral style.
- Feminine - Necklaces for girls or people who identify as female tend to be delicate and pretty, but bold chunky designs can also be distinctly feminine if they have bright colors and attract attention.
- Masculine - Necklaces for men and people who identify as male are usually more substantial and simpler in style. Think chains and basic dog tag pendants, as well as simple strands of beads that aren't too long.
- Gender-neutral - Gender-neutral necklaces work for everyone. The necklace length tends to hit at the collarbone or the upper chest, and the styles are fairly simple. You'll see more color and statement pieces than masculine designs, but they'll be more substantial than delicate feminine styles.
Give Some Thought to the Symbolism of Your Necklace
Some necklaces are very meaningful, and they can make an important style statement to the world. Before you decide on a design, think about what the necklace symbolizes and whether that's something you want to share.
- Your birthstone - Some necklaces feature a birthstone, and these can be very special. If you're not sure what gemstone represents your birth month, take a look at a birthstone chart to check.
- Your religion - A necklace can also have a distinctly religious design, such a cross pendant or other symbol. These can be very special, but they can also tell the world about your religious beliefs.
- Your name - Name necklaces are a fun way to add a personal touch to your look. There are lots of styles of necklaces with names, including subtle initial pendants and more elaborate engraved designs.
Remember to Consider Necklace Length
Don't forget that necklaces come in a variety of lengths, which can be flattering on different body types and complement your face shape. If in doubt, try on the necklace to see how it fits. Then ask yourself a few questions about your fashion preferences, your personality, and your lifestyle, and you'll end up with the perfect necklace to add to your jewelry collection.
